The Inner Voice: Guidance from Your Best Friend - Part I

Spotting Your Naysayers (Y'know, the negative voices...)

It’s July 19, 2009. Tomorrow is the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing. Just a moment ago, CNN played the famous video of Neil Armstrong stepping off the Lunar Module. I watched it live back in 1969 with a group of friends. We were like kids, yelping and whooping it up, even crying a little when Armstrong uttered “One small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.” What an achievement that was. For a brief time, the world seemed united.

In the 1930s it was considered both illogical and impossible for humans to go to the moon. We couldn’t fight gravity; we’d be crushed in space; no materials to protect us from radiation. The negative list was extensive. But, in spite of the naysayers, we did the impossible. After the fact, it turned out to be quite logical to expect that humans could engage in space travel. Now, our space dreams in the 21st century are only limited by our fears. We will ultimately overcome the majority of obstacles that currently keep us from going to the planets and out into the galaxy itself.

The point?

Those who created the moon landing didn’t listen to the naysayers. They heard an inner voice—a higher calling—that said it could be done. And when that voice became a collective voice, it was only a matter of time before Neil Armstrong made that first human imprint on the moon’s dusty surface. And, if we can send our machinery to Mars (which we’ve done), if we can put all kinds of satellites into orbit around our own planet (weather, spy, you name it), then we can do practically anything—if we’ll listen.

So, your first participation in this series of hubs is simple. I ask that you make the decision to give up what I call the Sets of Four—four-word sentences that can stop you dead in your tracks and block that Inner Voice. They are your naysayers. The challenge is to avoid using them in your daily life in any form. If you can release these Sets of Four—and you can—your life will change almost immediately. Ready? Here goes:

“It can’t be done.”

“I’m not good enough.”

“No one loves me.”

“I’m better than others.”

“I’m worse than others.”

“I have no talent.”

“I have no resources.”

“My life is worthless.”

“I can’t find purpose.”

“I am so afraid.”

“I’m going to hell.”

(The list is endless; make up your own!)

Now, you can’t really give up these Sets of Four unless you replace them with their opposite. Nature abhors a vacuum, after all. This is where that little practice of using affirmations comes in. Just create an opposite Set of Four and repeat them as often as possible:

“I can do it.”

“I am good enough.”

“I'm really quite lovable.”

“All people are equal.”

…and so on

(Note: Affirmations are not meant to change the outer world. They change you—gradually—if you’ll commit to them.)

You’ve been talking to yourself and to the world in certain patterns—and listening! If you would change a habit, change the pattern. Begin with your words. It’s the simplest place to start.

Some say affirmations won’t work. For them, they won’t. They’ve already affirmed their way out of the possibility. You’re different. You know that if given half a chance, you can talk yourself into a new experience. And you want to, I can tell. But don’t take my illogical word for it. What does your Inner Voice tell you about all this? Garbage? Hogwash? Or a new beginning?

Your Voice, your Call.

Much success!

P.S. You will hear a lot of people make light of affirmations. They don't work, they say. And for the most part, they are right. It's very difficult to affirm a new Cadillac CST into your life if you're living on Social Security. It's equally difficult to affirm a CEO position at a large company if you have one year of experience delivering pizza and nothing else. However, when you understand that affirmations are a form of self talk designed to get you to hear all the crap you've been feeding yourself, then they do their job. The idea is to get clear on the negative stuff. If you don't know that you're talking to yourself in a negative way, there's no way to release it. When you use an affirmation that you initially don't believe, you will hear yourself denying the truth of it. That's how you learn what's holding you back on any particular level, in any particular area of your life. Keep repeating them. They will bring up everything you need to hear. As that stuff begins to fade--and it will--the deeper part of you can get through. That's when the real change begins. But don't take this all on faith. Practice. If you don't like the results, drop it all.

Comments

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Author

Richard Kent Matthews 8 years agofrom Portland, OR Metro Area

Most of the knowledge comes from making many mistakes. I have learned to fail well.

Thanks for the kind words.

Mike Dennis 8 years ago

Wonderful Hub Richard Speaks. You are a very knowledgeable man....and have a great way of communicating. I enjoy this hub...

Author

Richard Kent Matthews 8 years agofrom Portland, OR Metro Area

Busy lives. I put the info out there and just let the universe take it where it will. (Now, how's that for airy-fairy??ha)

Actually, I have about 150 articles floating around the Web. I have received a lot of good comments over the past few years. Lets me know I'm doing what I'm called to do.

Thanks again for the comments.

Niteriter 8 years agofrom Canada

I like thoughts. I particularly like considered thoughts. The thoughts you present in your Hubs seem to meet that description; they are neat, organized, and well... tidy. I'm surprised no one has responded to this post yet; it clears the way for a good discussion.